WITH food, electricity and gas prices going through the roof, many foodbanks are struggling to cope with demand to supply Bradford residents with the parcels they need.
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"It's been crazy - we've been very busy," said Mobeen Hussain, founder of the We Are Queensbury Foodbank, on Chapel Street, Queensbury. "We've had an influx of people wanting food parcels but the lack of support we've been getting has been unbelievable."
"We applied for a grant of £6,000 from Bradford Council but we were unsuccessful," said Mr Hussain. "And our stock is at an all-time low level.
"The demand for food parcels has gone up by 100 per cent in the couple of months.
Mr Hussain said the cost of living crisis is "hitting everyone".
"I has a snowball effect," he said. "If we don't get the goods - don't get the funding and support - it will impact our ability to help people.
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"We just went through £7,000 in just two-and-a-half months. The demand has just gone up.
"If it wasn't for local people and the Tesco and Co-op stores in Queensbury, we would be worse off," he said. "These supermarkets have provided food parcels and they have a collection for us in store.
"We also have some lovely residents who have set up direct debits for us to supply food.
"There was even one gentleman who donated his £150 council tax rebate to help residents who need it most.
"That community spirit is keeping us afloat but we shouldn't have to rely on that."
Mr Hussain said the cost of living crisis has seen the prices of food, electricity and gas go through the roof.
"A lot of people we talk to are really worried. There are those people on a wage that have to cut back on a privilege like a holiday or day out, but then there are people who have been just managing on benefits and they can't make a sacrifice. They're thinking 'where do we get our next meal from?'.
"When I go to bed at night, it's heartbreaking for me think how are these people going to get by."
In addition to being a foodbank, We Are Queensbury is a community hub which also helps residents with financial advice and find employment.
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